Arched reinforced fence

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an arched reinforced fence, formed by mesh panels of metal rods, with vertical formations, and by anchoring elements made up of a U-shaped rod or profile, the side branches of which are introduced between the horizontal rods located in different planes, whereas the central branch runs along one of the longitudinal edges of the panel, the side branches projecting from the opposite longitudinal edge of the panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arched reinforced fence, made up of wire mesh panels and anchoring elements for the fixing or maintenance of the panels in vertical position.

Fences of the type set forth are generally used for forming enclosures, particularly, although not exclusively, temporary enclosures due to their ease of assembly and disassembly.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Fences of the type set forth are known in which the panels are formed by two series of metal rods, crossing each other perpendicularly and. joined at the crossing points by means of electro-welding, for example.

The anchoring elements can be made up of vertical posts, generally based on metal profiles, independent from the panels. The joining between panels and vertical posts can be carried out in different ways.

Fences of the type set forth are known from patents EP 0098328 and EP 0524860, in which panels based on rods have vertical formations determining that the horizontal rods are located in two different vertical planes, being separated by a distance approximately equal to or slightly greater than the width or diameter of the posts making up the anchoring elements.

With this constitution, for the assembly of the fence, the posts are introduced between the horizontal rods located in both planes projecting from the lower edge of the panel in a portion which is fixed or anchored in the ground or in auxiliary assembly pieces. The fences are furthermore fixed to the vertical posts by means of clamps or any other connecting element between the rods of the panels and the vertical profiles.

With this constitution, the posts are located between consecutive vertical rods. As the gap between these vertical rods is different to the thickness or diameter of the posts, as well as the gap between the two vertical planes in which the horizontal rods are located, a good fastening of the panel to the posts is not obtained and it is necessary to use auxiliary joining elements.

On the other hand, on forming the fence, the upper edge thereof is formed by the upper edge of the panels, from which the vertical rods can slightly project, constituting sharp elements which can cause injuries.

Another drawback of the fences of the type set forth is that the panels can be vertically stiffened by means of the anchoring posts. However, in a horizontal direction there is no stiffening element of the mesh forming the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks set forth by means of a fence of the type described, but in which the anchoring elements are made up such that they ensure a good fastening of the panel and provide protection for the upper edge of said panels so that the vertical rods do not project.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a fence of greater robustness due to the anchoring elements acting as a reinforcing means both in a vertical and horizontal direction.

A further objective of the invention is to obtain a fence the assembly and disassembly of which can be carried out quickly and easily.

The fence of the invention is of the type set forth hereinbefore, made up of mesh panels formed by horizontal and vertical rods in which the horizontal rods are located in two parallel vertical planes.

According to the present invention, these anchoring elements are made up of a preferably metallic U-shaped bar or profile. The central branch of this U is of a length approximately equal to that of the panel, whereas the side branches are of a greater length than the height of said panel. These side branches are intended to be introduced through the mesh, between the formations thereof, in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal rods, and between two consecutive vertical rods. Once the side branches are completely introduced, the horizontal branch is laid out along one of the longitudinal edges of the panel. From the opposite edge the side branches will partially project in a portion intended to serve as an anchoring means to the floor or to auxiliary assembly pieces.

Preferably, the central branch of the U-shaped piece is laid out at the height of one of the horizontal rods of the mesh and preferably at the height of one of the end horizontal rods, which will be the upper horizontal rod of the panel. With this arrangement the central rod will also project upwardly with respect to the adjacent end of the vertical straps, so that the panel is finished upwardly by the central branch of the U-shaped piece, thus obtaining an upper finish for the panels without projecting vertical rods.

The central branch of the U-shaped anchoring element may further be related to the upper horizontal rod of the panel by connecting means, for example by means of fixing clips, welding etc.

With the constitution set forth, each of the panels forming the fence is considerably reinforced with respect to traditional panels, because the side branches of the U-shaped piece will serve not only as anchoring elements, but also as vertical reinforcements in the sides of the panel, whereas the central branch of the U-shaped piece will serve as a longitudinal reinforcement as it runs along the upper edge of the panels.

With the U-shaped anchoring element of the invention assembled in the mesh panel in an inverted position, a considerable increase in the resistance to torsion or buckling of said panel is obtained.

The joining between consecutive panels can be carried out by the traditional system, by means of the side branches of the U-shaped piece, equivalent to the anchoring columns of traditional fences.

Furthermore, as has already been pointed out, the upper horizontal rod of the mesh can be joined to the central branch of the U-shaped piece by means of connecting elements which may be made up, for example, of a clip which can be coupled or fixed on the central branch of the U-shaped anchoring element and on the adjacent horizontal rod. This anchoring element may also be made up of a clip which can be assembled on the horizontal rod of the panel and can be attached to the central branch of the U-shaped anchoring element, to the branch of which it is fixed by means of a screw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The constitution and features of the fence of the invention can be better understood with the following description, in which an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the scope of the invention is shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of one of the panels forming part of the fence of the invention.

FIG. 1 a shows a profile view of the mesh of the panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a partial perspective view of a fence formed with the panels of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows detail A of FIG. 2 on a larger scale.

FIG. 4 shows detail B of FIG. 2 on a larger scale.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a clamp for joining the metal mesh to the central section of the U-shaped piece forming part of the panel.

FIG. 6 shows a partial vertical sectional view of a panel, taken according to the line of section VI-VI of FIG. 2, showing the joining between mesh and anchoring element by means of the clamp of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view similar to FIG. 3, seen from the opposite side of the panel and showing a variant of implementation of the connecting element between the mesh and the U-shaped piece.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the panel, taken according to the line of section VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the components forming part of the fence of the invention and consisting of a mesh 1 and an anchoring element 2.

The mesh 1 is made up of two series of wires or metal rods which cross each other perpendicularly, some rods 3 are laid out in a horizontal position and other rods 4 are laid out in a vertical position. The mesh 1 has transverse formations, defined for example by bends 5 and 6 in different directions, by means of which the wires or horizontal rods 3 are located in two different vertical planes which in FIG. 1 a are referenced by the numbers 7 and 8.

As regards the anchoring element 2, it is made up of a rod or profile, preferably of metal and having a U-shaped tubular structure, with side branches 9 perpendicular to the central branch 10.

The planes 7 and 8, FIG. 1 a, in which the horizontal rods 3 of the mesh 1 are located are separated by a distance approximately equal to the thickness or diameter of the vertical branches 9 of the piece 2. Furthermore, the side branches 9 are of a length greater than the height of the mesh 1. The central branch of the piece 2 is of a length approximately to or slightly lower than the length of the mesh 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, with this constitution, for forming the fence, the side branches 9 of each U-shaped piece are introduced through the formations of the mesh, between the planes 7 and 8, and between consecutive vertical rods, these vertical branches 9 partially projecting from the lower edge of the mesh 1, in portions 9′, which will be intended to be anchored in the floor or in the auxiliary anchoring elements. The central branch 10 of the U-shaped piece 2 runs along the mesh, immediately above, preventing the vertical rods 4 from projecting upwardly.

With this constitution, each of the modules forming the fence is enormously reinforced, in a vertical direction by the vertical branches 9 of the element 2 and in a longitudinal direction by the central branch 10 of the same anchoring element.

With the constitution described a good fastening of the mesh forming each module, a protection of the upper edge of said mesh and an increase in the rigidity thereof are obtained, all of this with a great facility of assembly and disassembly, such operations requiring only the introduction and removal of the side branches 9 of the element 2 between the formations of the mesh and between every two consecutive vertical rods 4.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 it can be seen in greater detail how the vertical branches 9 of the anchoring element 2 are introduced between the formations of the mesh, between horizontal rods 3 and 3′ located in the different planes 7 and 8 and between two consecutive vertical rods 4, preferably the end vertical rods of each side. In FIG. 4 it can be seen how the vertical branches 9 are laid out in the form described, projecting from the lower edge of the mesh in the section 9′, which serves as an anchoring means of the modules.

The clamp 12 so formed is assembled around the section 10 of the anchoring elements, also embracing the upper horizontal rod 3 of the mesh 1. Subsequently, the clamp is closed making the tab 14 penetrate through the slot 16, then being able to bend said tab to fix the assembled position of the clamp 12.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a implementation variant of the connecting elements, which are formed by a U-shaped clamp 12′, the side branches 17 of which are separated by a distance equal or slightly greater than the diameter of the wires or horizontal rods 3. The side branches 17 each have opposed openings through which the screw 18 can be introduced.

With this constitution, the clamp 12′ is assembled on the wire or upper horizontal rod 3 and the screw 18 introduced through the openings of the side branches 17 is screwed into an opening made in the central section 10 of the anchoring elements, With these or other anchoring elements, the mesh 1 can be fixed, through the upper horizontal rod 3, to the central section 10 of the anchoring elements, thus ensuring the anchoring or fastening of the mesh 1 to the anchoring elements 2.

As has already been indicated, the fixing of the mesh 1 to the anchoring elements 2 can be obtained by means of welding certain rods of the mesh to adjacent sections of the anchoring elements. 

1-5. (canceled)
 6. An arched reinforced fence comprising: mesh panels having horizontal rods and vertical rods, said mesh panels further having transverse formations that locate said horizontal rods in two parallel vertical planes; and anchoring elements having a U-shaped profile and having a central branch and side branches, said side branches being perpendicular to said central branch, said central branch having a length approximately equal to that of one of said mesh panels and said side branches of a greater length than the height of one of said panels, wherein said anchoring elements are perpendicularly introduced between said horizontal rods and consecutive vertical rods in said transverse formations located in one plane or the other plane, said central branch extending along an edge of one of said mesh panels and said side branches extending along edges of one of said mesh panels in a direction perpendicular to said central branch, said side branches extending beyond a length of said mesh panel.
 7. The fence according to claim 6, wherein said central branch of said anchoring element is laid out at the height of the upper horizontal rod of said panel and projects upwardly with respect to the adjacent end of said vertical rods.
 8. The fence according to claim 7, wherein said central branch of said anchoring element is related to the upper horizontal rod of the panel by means of connecting elements.
 9. The fence according to claim 8, wherein the connecting elements are made up of a clip which can be coupled and fixed on said central branch of said U-shaped anchoring element and on the adjacent horizontal rod, jointly embracing said central branch and the rod.
 10. The fence according to claim 8, wherein said anchoring elements are made up of a clip that can be assembled on an upper horizontal rod of said panel and can be attached to said central branch of said anchoring element, and fixed thereto by a screw. 